Alex Eala beat Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-4 in Washington, winning a scrappy, break-filled match in straight sets. Eala did the heavier damage on return, repeatedly breaking Svitolina and closing out each set with a break in the final game.
The opening set was a trade of breaks: Eala went ahead at 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2, while Svitolina drew level at 1-1 and 2-2 before Eala broke for the set at 6-3. In the second set Svitolina broke at 0-1, but Eala answered at 3-3 and then sealed the match with another break at 6-4.
Svitolina hit two aces and landed a higher percentage of first serves, 53% to Eala’s 47%, yet Eala won the decisive return points. She saved two of four break points she faced and came through the final return games of both sets to take the win.